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A Daily Purpose

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Bible Study & Devotional (January 1, 2021)

Guiding Scripture: Acts 3:19-23

 

🔴 Happy New Year!

Rather than giving so much focus on making resolutions, perhaps we should spend more time seeking restoration!
 
Resolutions are decrees, promises, determinations, purposes, tenacities, steadfastness, and firmness to commit to a specific goal or idea.
 
Restoration means refurbishment, reinstatement, renovation, repair, renewal, and rebuilding.
 
Repentance is required for both and, in so many ways, co-exists with each other. To change, we first must need to know that we need to change; otherwise, what would be the point? When we repent, we turn from doing what has not been the most productive or useful to a better solution. 
 
Receive the Salvation of The Lord Jesus Christ while you still have time. No one knows except God when He will return. Why put His invitation to come to Him off for another day? Don’t we know what tomorrow will bring for us?  
 
         ARE you ready to receive God today? Will you ask Him to come into your heart?

 

Let us Pray: Lord, we thank you for allowing us to see another year, another opportunity to serve you by serving others. Thank you, heavenly Father, for all your blessings and protection with the provisions you have given us. We pray for your healing for this land as we repent and turn from our wicked ways and humble ourselves in obedience to you and your purpose for us. We appreciate and declare our love for them and for you, Dear Lord, as they and we too want so much to be Holy as you are Holy. Amen

This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Friday, January 1, 2021

Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 1:1-6

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

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© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

 

 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

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Guiding Scripture Acts 18: 24-26
 

🔴 Major Surgery

Sometimes major surgery is required to correct a disease or an injury. Before any significant operation, a skilled surgeon would give you a full examination to determine if you are fit to undergo the operation.

Emergency or not – we want a capable, knowledgeable, and experienced surgeon holding the scalping instruments. We want someone who exactly knows what she or he is doing.

As believers, Jesus sent us to proclaim God!

  • Could we pass a spiritual examination?
  • Are we willing to tell others of the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Encouraging sympathy and understanding for a person’s “other way” to get to God is being a traitor to Jesus Christ. In today’s world, we are expected to be non-confrontational and to serve pleasantly. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John14: 6.

We can choose to follow the teaching and expectation of this world and lead people astray, or we can teach as Jesus taught and stay firmly rooted in truth. Jesus is the only way!

In speaking to the Corinthians and to us through God’s Holy Bible, Paul would not have our faith rest on human wisdom. “ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Trust the God-breathed scripture and stand firm when your Christian testimony is under examination. You may be the vital surgeon operating the power of God’s Holy Word.

 

Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, throughout your Word, you have let us know that no one can come to you except by your Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus told us not to let our hearts be troubled and to believe in Him just as we believe in God. Your Word teaches us that you and Jesus are one with the Holy Spirit – our Triune God. Lord, please help those who do not believe. Thank you, Lord. Amen

 

~Diana L.W. Coleman

This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

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1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
 

🔴 Climate Control

  • What kind of climate are you generating for the people you are responsible for serving?

The climate of any situation often is in direct relation to productivity.
When in a friendly, comfortable, clean, and inviting space, how do you feel in that environment?

Compare that atmosphere with one of tension, hostility.


There is an apparent difference! Now think, what can I do to make either of the two spaces better? No matter how good or bad the situation, we can always make strides to improve.

While we can’t change the weather, we can certainly change our attitude about it and perhaps make the day better for others. As believers, we are to let our light shine in the darkness. We have become heirs to our Creator God. We have His Spirit within us to create until better becomes best and give God the glory for the inspiration that He has given us.


Let us Pray: “Lord Jesus, please instill in each of us to use whatever gift you have given us to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, that we should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, we should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus Amen.”

 

~Diana L.W. Coleman

This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

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Colossians 3: 23-25 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
 

🔴 A Job Well Done

How do you go about your work? Do you take pride in doing the best job you can as if you are doing work for the Lord Himself? Do you go that extra mile?  Are you a “go-getter”? The answers that you give significantly define your character and attribute of who you are!  
 
Don’t lazily try to get by with the bare minimum or approach tasks with a failure mentality. How does that honor God, who has given you the ability, and then for selfish reasons, you choose not to do your very best? It could be thoroughly reading instructions or receiving knowledge with an open mind.
 

Is your attitude pleasing to God? 

 
We have a responsibility to focus on things eternal and not on the temporary. The frustration of life and the attitude we stubbornly adhere to will not serve the body of Christ well. If we are mature in spirit, we ought to encourage mental balance and promote unity, not division with aggression. We can ask ourselves: What separates us from godly thoughts, and what are we anxiously observing? 
 

God sees everything.

We bring honor and glory to God when we do our very best. Like Able (Genesis 4:1-7) brought a more pleasing offering to our Lord, it was done under clear direction. We must remember as we serve to reflect on how our attitudes hinder service. Philippians 4:6 prompts us not to be anxious about anything, including work, education, business, and relationships. We can practice meditating on the commendable things while working wholeheartedly for our Abba Father.
 
 
 
 
 
Let us pray: Lord, as we serve others, please instill in us a desire to do so for your approval. Give us the heart to go beyond the call of duty and to do our tasks well. We love and thank you, God, for all your blessings. Amen

~Diana L.W. Coleman

This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , , , ,
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
 

🔴 VACCINATE AND INDOCTRINATE!

The medical field of scientists and doctors have discovered that immunizations are essential to protect our bodies from various infectious diseases such as polio, influenza, pneumonia, shingles, and many more.

We are in a severe pandemic with the Covid-19 Coronavirus. Because of past experimentations by our government and medical personnel, groups of people, especially Black Americans, are fearful of taking the vaccine recently introduced with thoughts of how the Tuskegee Experiment was conducted. That ‘great’ moment in American history caused an indoctrination of distrust.

God’s Word, The Holy Bible, teaches us not to put our trust in man but to
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We should remember 2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.” God is sovereign, and when we indoctrinate our being in Him by placing our faith in His Divine plan, we can trust Him to direct our decisions and be confident in Him.

 
 
 
Let us pray: Lord, we trust you and know that you have gifted scientists, doctors, lawyers, leaders, teachers, and others according to your plan. How they use or exploit that knowledge makes them accountable to you. We trust you with our life to be lived for your glory in obedience to you. We love you, Lord. Thank you for your Holy Spirit. Amen.

~Diana L.W. Coleman

This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose®